As Arkansas is set to take the practice field for the first time on Thursday, let's take a look at some of the biggest questions the Razorbacks have heading into the 2015 season.
*Does Arkansas have confidence in Austin Allen as a backup quarterback?
Though starter Brandon Allen is coming off the best season an Arkansas quarterback has seen since the early 1990s, the backup spot is an interesting position. Younger brother Austin Allen is the likely lock for the role but has he earned the trust of the coaching staff? Austin Allen was forced into action against Ole Miss and went 3-of-5 passing for 65 yards but was sacked twice. Brandon Allen was battling a hip issue in the regular season finale but played the entire game which raises this question. A strong spring (and the same type of fall camp) for Austin Allen could erase this question mark.
*How good can the Arkansas running back corps be?
There's no question what the Razorbacks bread-and-butter will be this fall as they return two players who rushed for 1,100 yards or more. Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams are likely the best running back tandem in all of college football but can they be even better in 2015 than they were last year. The two combined for 24 rushing touchdowns while Williams was a threat in the passing game as well. They lack the obvious home run threat, though both had rushing touchdowns of 80 yards or longer last season, Arkansas could see a 2006 repeat (Felix Jones and Darren McFadden). Add bruiser Kody Walker to the mix and opposing training staffs could be busy the week after they face the Hogs.
*Can the Razorbacks find a compliment to Keon Hatcher?
Keon Hatcher did it all for the Arkansas passing game last season. Not literally but close. Hatcher had 20 percent of the team's catches, 25 percent of the team's receiving yards and nearly 33 percent of the Razorbacks touchdown catches. If Arkansas is to take the next step another weapon must emerge. Whether it's in the form of a player who has been in the system (Drew Morgan, Cody Hollister, JoJo Robinson) or if it's a newcomer (junior college transfer Dominique Reed, freshman LaMichael Pettway), Arkansas has to find a viable number two option on the outside.
*Do the Hogs have the best tight ends in the SEC?
The answer very well could be yes to this question if the previous question is answered. Arkansas will be a nightmare matchup for defenses in the middle third of the field with Hunter Henry and Jeremy Sprinkle. Most teams would love to have just one of those two options but Arkansas has a pair of massive targets for Brandon Allen. Henry will garner most of the attention so that could pave the way for Sprinkle or any of the three freshman who the Razorbacks signed in February. (Austin Cantrell, C.J. O'Grady, Will Gragg).
*Will Arkansas's offensive line be able to finish off games?
With the biggest offensive line in all of football, college or professional, Arkansas was able to move opposing teams off the ball but late it games that edge seemed to fade. The Razorbacks will again likely have the largest front five in the SEC but will that translate into late game drives that put games away?